Wednesday's disaster relief fund meeting in Cobargo has been postponed to an unknown date due to "overwhelming" interest from the public and current COVID-19 regulations, Bega Valley Shire Council has said. "The committee regrets any confusion caused by the earlier invitation and the miscommunication involved. It's important to all involved not to impose any further distress on people already under pressure," council said in a statement on Monday. The relief fund's management committee are hoping to pilot a scheme with the Cobargo community. "The committee was wanting to use that opportunity to trial an efficient application, approval and delivery process for grants from the fund to be distributed across bushfire impacted communities in the Bega Valley," council said. "The learnings from that pilot will contribute to the development of the wider grants program. The committee will keep the community informed as we work through the process and build a fair, even-handed and responsive relief fund for now and the future. "Further details and a more formal launch for the fund will follow in the near future," council added. Residents were to have the opportunity to meet representatives of the Bega Valley Community Disaster Relief Fund at the Cobargo Bushfire Relief Centre. Organisers have said other bushfire-affected towns in the Bega Valley will be visited over the next two months. "If you have lost property because of the fires, or need support for trauma, anxiety or the like, please come along and have a chat and a cup of tea," fund co-chair Mick Brosnan said.

Disaster relief fund pilot program postponed due to COVID-19 regulations on mass gatherings

Wednesday's disaster relief fund meeting in Cobargo has been postponed to an unknown date due to "overwhelming" interest from the public and current COVID-19 regulations, Bega Valley Shire Council has said.

"The committee regrets any confusion caused by the earlier invitation and the miscommunication involved. It's important to all involved not to impose any further distress on people already under pressure," council said in a statement on Monday.

The relief fund's management committee are hoping to pilot a scheme with the Cobargo community.

"The committee was wanting to use that opportunity to trial an efficient application, approval and delivery process for grants from the fund to be distributed across bushfire impacted communities in the Bega Valley," council said.

"The learnings from that pilot will contribute to the development of the wider grants program. The committee will keep the community informed as we work through the process and build a fair, even-handed and responsive relief fund for now and the future.

"Further details and a more formal launch for the fund will follow in the near future," council added.